Customs Enhances Aid CRED Project Innovates Epidemic Response

Customs Enhances Aid CRED Project Innovates Epidemic Response

The World Customs Organization (WCO)'s C-RED project aims to enhance the capacity of West African customs to respond to epidemics. Through multilateral cooperation and streamlined customs procedures, it has significantly improved the region's efficiency in responding to emergencies. The C-RED+ project plans to expand its coverage and leverage new technologies to build a more robust lifeline, providing a stronger guarantee for global humanitarian assistance. This initiative strengthens customs' role in facilitating aid delivery and ensuring timely responses to crises.

Barbados Customs Adopts Skillsbased Hiring to Boost Efficiency

Barbados Customs Adopts Skillsbased Hiring to Boost Efficiency

Barbados Customs is reforming its human resource management, collaborating with the WCO and IMF to develop a skills directory and explore the establishment of an internal HR department. This initiative aims to modernize HR practices within the customs administration, aligning them with international standards and best practices. The focus on skills-driven development is expected to enhance the capabilities of customs officers and improve overall operational efficiency. This reform represents a significant step towards strengthening Barbados Customs' capacity to effectively manage its workforce and contribute to national economic development.

WCO Launches Virtual Leadership Program for Colombian Customs

WCO Launches Virtual Leadership Program for Colombian Customs

The World Customs Organization (WCO), at the request of the Colombian National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN), successfully conducted its first fully virtual Leadership and Management Development Programme. Focusing on leadership enhancement and crisis management, the program utilized innovative teaching methodologies and achieved significant results, improving the overall capabilities of individual participants, teams, and the organization. The Director General of DIAN highly praised the collaboration and expressed anticipation for future partnerships with the WCO to further organizational development.

Nigeria Customs Modernizes Trade with Improved Ruling System

Nigeria Customs Modernizes Trade with Improved Ruling System

Nigeria Customs is set to launch an “Advance Ruling” program to streamline customs clearance procedures and improve efficiency. This initiative aims to facilitate trade, achieve mutual benefits for all stakeholders, and contribute to economic development. The implementation of the Advance Ruling System is expected to provide traders with greater certainty and predictability regarding the classification, origin, and valuation of goods before importation, thereby reducing delays and costs associated with customs clearance. This will ultimately boost trade volumes and enhance Nigeria's competitiveness in the global market.

Armenia Modernizes Customs with WCO for Ecommerce Growth

Armenia Modernizes Customs with WCO for Ecommerce Growth

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Armenian Customs in implementing the Mercator Programme, aimed at simplifying customs procedures, reducing trade costs, and improving efficiency. The program covers key areas such as advance rulings, risk management, and single window systems, with the goal of modernizing Armenian Customs and promoting its economic development. Other developing countries can learn from this example by actively participating in WCO projects to improve their own trade facilitation levels.

Customs Key to Asiapacific Trade Resilience During Pandemic

Customs Key to Asiapacific Trade Resilience During Pandemic

The Asian Development Bank and UNESCAP jointly held a webinar focusing on the critical role of customs in safeguarding trade and connectivity during the pandemic. The WCO Secretary General emphasized the need for customs to ensure supply chain transparency and shared WCO's response measures and recommendations for regional cooperation. These included coordinating border management, digitizing procedures, and building capacity. The meeting highlighted the importance of customs in facilitating trade and building resilient supply chains during global crises.

Lesotho Boosts Customs Valuation Via WCO Training Program

Lesotho Boosts Customs Valuation Via WCO Training Program

The WCO conducted customs valuation training in Lesotho to enhance the country's capacity, promote trade facilitation, and support the implementation of WTO agreements, ultimately improving the trade environment. This initiative aimed to strengthen Lesotho's ability to accurately assess the value of imported goods, leading to increased revenue collection and reduced trade barriers. By building local expertise in customs valuation, the WCO's training contributes to a more transparent and efficient trading system, fostering economic growth and regional integration.

Pakistan Boosts Customs Oversight with WCO Audit Support

Pakistan Boosts Customs Oversight with WCO Audit Support

The WCO assists Pakistan in enhancing its customs post-clearance audit capabilities. This support aims to combat smuggling, promote trade compliance, and ultimately contribute to economic development. By strengthening PCA, Pakistan can improve revenue collection, reduce illicit trade, and create a more predictable and efficient trading environment for legitimate businesses. The WCO's assistance focuses on providing training, technical expertise, and best practices to build a sustainable and effective PCA system within Pakistan Customs.

Comoros Boosts Customs Skills for WTO Accession Bid

Comoros Boosts Customs Skills for WTO Accession Bid

A joint WTO-WCO workshop aimed to enhance Comoros' customs valuation capabilities in preparation for WTO accession. The workshop covered topics such as customs valuation methods, pre-shipment inspection, and trade facilitation. The goal was to assist Comoros in establishing an efficient and transparent trade system to promote economic development. The experience of Comoros can offer valuable insights for other developing countries seeking to improve their trade practices and integrate into the global trading system. This initiative highlights the importance of capacity building for successful WTO membership.

Burkina Faso Customs Boosts Project Management for Modernization

Burkina Faso Customs Boosts Project Management for Modernization

With the support of the World Customs Organization, Burkina Faso Customs successfully held a senior management training program on project management, enhancing its capacity in managing customs reform projects. This training is part of the MADAO project, aimed at modernizing African customs. Through interactive teaching and case studies, participants acquired key project management skills, ensuring the implementation of customs strategic plans. This initiative provides valuable experience for customs administrations in other developing countries.